:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250626-SEA-SmokedPaprikaHarissaButterGrilledCornontheCob-NiedleCreative-HERO-4a3e614d0dbb41a6aa2f3f26a9b0f466.jpg?ssl=1 "This Smoky, Candy, and Spicy Butter Is Every thing Your Corn Wants")
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Why It Works
- Tossing the grilled corn with the compound butter whereas the corn remains to be scorching helps the butter’s taste soak up into the corn.
- Including delicate harissa and smoked paprika to the compound butter creates a balanced smoky-spicy taste with out overpowering the corn’s pure sweetness.
Sure, grilled corn is all the time good—candy, pleasantly charred, summery—however swipe it with this daring, harissa-spiked compound butter, and it turns into one thing else totally. Deeply savory, smoky, spicy, and vivid, this butter transforms a easy ear of corn right into a scene-stealing facet dish.
The true magic lies within the flavor-building combo of harissa and smoked paprika. Harissa paste brings warmth, depth, and simply the correct amount of funk, whereas smoked paprika echoes the grill’s charred aroma with a heat, woodsy end. Garlic sharpens the sides, lemon juice cuts via the richness, and a contact of honey ties every little thing collectively. It is a taste enhance in spreadable type.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
Harissa can differ extensively in warmth and depth relying on the model or fashion—Tunisian and Moroccan variations, for instance, every put their very own spin on it. Constructed from purple chiles, garlic, spices, and olive oil, harissa delivers heat, complexity, and a contact of smokiness. For this recipe, I want a milder harissa, permitting the smoky-sweet corn to shine whereas including a mild kick. If you happen to’re working with a spicier model—or simply love extra warmth—be happy to regulate the quantity to fit your style. You are accountable for the firepower right here.
Within the US, I like to recommend the delicate harissa from Mina, which has a balanced taste and warmth—it brings brightness with out overpowering the opposite components. Within the UK, the place I reside, I usually use Belazu, additionally obtainable at some specialty shops within the US. You can too use do-it-yourself harissa and customise the flavour even additional.
This butter is low-effort with excessive reward. You can also make it forward (days forward, even), stash it within the fridge, and pull it out at any time when the grill is scorching and the corn is rolling. It melts superbly into each groove and ridge, soaking into every chew. I like to recommend making a double batch—you will need it on crusty bread, grilled fish, charred zucchini, and possibly even stirred right into a pot of beans.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
On a technical degree, this butter does extra than simply style good—it additionally acts as a moisture-locking end, retaining the corn juicy and flavorful even after it cools. Which means the corn appears nice on a platter, and would not require last-minute fussing to impress.
Serve it alongside grilled meats, tuck it subsequent to a slab of halloumi, or pair it with a grain bowl or salad and name it dinner. Add further herbs if you happen to’re feeling fancy, or alter the extent of spiciness by enjoying together with your favourite harissa. If you happen to’re already grilling corn, there is no motive to not take this further (however not likely further) step. It takes 5 minutes, and the payoff is huge: smoky-sweet kernels coated in a buttery, brick-red glaze that tastes complicated, satisfying, and splendidly summery.
This Smoky, Candy, and Spicy Butter Is Every thing Your Corn Wants
Prepare dinner Mode
(Preserve display awake)
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8 tablespoons (120 g) unsalted butter, softened
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1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice from 2 lemons
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4 teaspoons smoked paprika
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2 tablespoons harissa paste, or extra to style (see notes)
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3 garlic cloves, finely minced or pressed
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2 teaspoons honey
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2 1/2 teaspoons Diamond Crystal kosher salt, or to style; for desk salt, use half as a lot by quantity or the identical weight
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6 ears corn, shucked
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1 tablespoon chopped parsley, for garnishd
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In a small bowl, mix the butter, lemon juice, paprika, harissa, garlic, honey, and salt. Season to style with extra salt or harissa.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
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For a Charcoal Grill
Open backside vent utterly. Gentle massive chimney starter crammed 3/4 with charcoal briquettes (4 quarts). When high coals are partially coated with ash, pour evenly over backside of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cowl, and open lid vent utterly. Warmth grill till scorching, about 5 minutes.
For a Gasoline Grill
Flip all burners to excessive; cowl; and warmth grill till scorching, about quarter-hour. Depart all burners on excessive.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
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Clear and oil cooking grate. Grill corn, turning continuously, till charred and tender on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
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Instantly slather corn with ready harissa butter. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Critical Eats/ Niedle Artistic
Particular Tools
Charcoal or gasoline grill, charcoal briquettes and a chimney starter if utilizing charcoal grill
Notes
This recipe can simply be doubled.
For greatest outcomes, search for a mild-to-medium-spicy harissa to steadiness warmth with out overpowering the opposite flavors. I like to recommend delicate harissa and like the model Mina.
Make-Forward and Storage
The compound butter will be ready forward and refrigerated in an hermetic container for as much as 1 week.
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